Time-switch.



M. UHIAVETTA.

TIME SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED APRJQ, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

Patented Aug. 4, 1914,

M. CHIAVETTA.

TIME SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 19, 1913.

1,106,281, Patented Aug.4, 191 i 2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

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MICHAEL CHIAVETTA, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

7 TIME-SWITCH.

Specification 0': Letters Patent.

Patented Au". 4, 1914.

Application filed April 19, 1913. Serial K0 762392- To all whom it mayconcern Be it known that I, MICHAEL CHIAVETTA,

a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at New York; in the county ofNew York and State of New York, have invented new and usefulImprovements inTime-Switches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in time switches and hasparticular application to a switch of this type for illuminating signsand other advertising devices intermittently for a predeterminedinterval of time.

' In carrying out the present invention, it is my purpose to provide atime switch of the class described whereby the lamps of advertisingsigns and the like may be illuminated for a predetermined period and thefiow of current to the lamps interrupted during such period so as toalternately make and break the circuit thereby slashing the lamps. It isalso my purpose to provide a time switch which will embrace the desiredfeatures of simplicity, efficiency and durability and which maybeinstalled and maintained at a minimum cost.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in theconstruction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter set forthinand falling within the scope of the claim. I

In the accompanying drawings; Figure 1 is a view in elevation of a signequipped with my present invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectionalview therethrough showing the relative positions of the lamps and theflashing switch. Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view showing the connectionsbetween the switch and the lamps of the sign, and Fig. 4 is an enlargeddetail view showing the means whereby the lamp circuit is interrupted.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail, the numeralldesignates asign constructed of any suitable material and having atransparent front wall carrying suitable advertising indicia. Arrangedwithin the sign and suitably secured to the base thereof are a number oflamp sockets 2, two of such sockets being shown in the present instance,and in each socket is disposed an electric lamp 3.

My'improved time switch is suitably secured to the base of the sign 1and convenientlylocated with respect to the lamps 3 and in the presentinstance, embodies a clock gear train 4 including a main spring 5, anescapement wheel 6 and the usual alarm mechanism.

7 designates the tapper of the alarm mechanism and in accordance withthe present invention this tapper is in the form of a movable contactand is nnder'the control of the escapement wheel 8 of the alarmmechanism, and a power spring 9 for imparting movement to the escapementwheel when the arborof the gear train has rotated for the prescribedperiod of time, as will be readily understood. Suitably secured to thebase of the sign at one extremity of the path of movement of the contact7 is a binding post 10 andto this bindingpost is connected one terminalof a wire 11 forming one.

side of an electric circuit, Secured to the base of the sign below oneof the transmitting wheels of the gear train and extending upwardly fromsuch base are spring contact strips 12 having the upper ends thereofspaced apart and disposed in the path of movementof the spokes of therespective gear wheel and each Contact strip is con nected to one sideof the socket of one of the lamps by way of a wire 13, while to theopposite sides of such sockets lead Wires 11 terminating in a connnonconductor 15 forming with the wire 11 the circuit for the lamps.

In practice, the main spring of the gear train is wound or'put undertension so that the gear train will operate and the circuit composed ofthe conductors or wires 11 and 15 connectedto-a suitable source ofpower. I

.clock gear train controlling the, contact strips 12 rotates, the spokesof such" wheel engage or ride over the strips 12 successively therebyintermittently closing the circuit to the lamps successively andflashing the sign. The contact 7 is des gned to be released at apredetermined or set time, such time being determined by the devicescommonly employed in alarm clocks. When the arbor of the clock train hasrotated for the interval of time determined, the contact is swung out ofengagement with the binding post 10 thereby breaking the circuit.

From the foregoing description taken in Ltd connection with theaccompanying drawings, the construction, mode of operation and "mannerof emplbying my improved automatic time switch will be readily apparent,

It will be seen that l have provided a time switch whereby the flow ofcurrent to a number of electric lamps, in the operation of the switch,will be interrupted and the lamps intermittently illuminatedsuccessively, while such circuit will be completely broken when theswitch has operated for the determined period of time.

While l have herein shown and described one preferred form of myinvention by way of illustration, I desire to have it understood that Ido not limit or confine myself to the precise details of construction,herein described and delineated, as modification and variation may bemade within the scope or the claim and without departing from the spiritof the invention.

' I claim: I

The combination with an electric circuit and a number of lamps connectedin multi- Liodaei ple therewith, of a time switch located in saidcircuit and controlling said lamps, said switch comprising a clock geartrain, contacts each connected to one side of one of the lamps anddisposed in the path of movement of the spokes of one of the wheels ofsaid gear train, said contacts beingspaced apart whereby in the movementof the respective gear wheel the flow of current to the lamps will beinterrupted and the lamps-in MICHAEL orrravn'rra.

i/Vitnesses ,NUNZIO A1. BRUNO,

SALVATORE D. MARCO.

